Folding bedstead



STATES PATENT OFFCE.

BENJAMIN HINKLEY, OF TROY, NEW YORK.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

Speccaton of Letters Patent No. 16,647, dated February 17, 1857.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN HINKLEY, of Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Folding Bedsteads, and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the principle or character which distinguishes it from all other things before known and of the usual manner of making, modifying, and using the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, of which- Figure l is a perspective view of the bedstead as set up for use. Fig. 2 is a View of the hinge for the end posts. Figs. 3 and 4L views of the center hinge opened and closed. Fig. 5 shows the bedstead folded up.

My invention consists in a mode of connecting and bracing the folding port-io-ns of portable bedsteads and bracing thereto the intermediate posts or legs substantially as hereinafter set forth.

My folding bedstead is composed principally of two parts A. A of light frame work which consist of two side rails B, B, united by cross pieces C, C. At the outer end of these frames are hung the head and foot legs D, D D D as fol lows. The foot legs for inst-ance being secured and braced by the cross ties F, F, are pivoted to the side rails B, B so as to fold under the rails when the bedstead is packed up. The pivot G projects from the metallic strap H secured to the upper part of the legs and turns in a hole or bearing in the strap K which is secured to the side rail. On the inner face of the side rail is fastened a piece of metal L against which the straight portion of the strap H strikes (as the legs are carried outward) and thus stops the legs from spreading too far outwardly. The check or stop is so placed that the legs may spread a little, that is, they spread a little lengthwise the bedstead. The head legs are secured and pivoted in a similar manner. The center legs M are connected with the side rails as follows. At the upper part of the leg is secured a metallic strap piece N shown in dotted and black lines in Figs. 3 and 4 from which project the pivots P, P, which center and t-urn in corresponding holes or bearings in the hinge pieces R, R. These hinge pieces are secured each to the inside of the side rails and near their inner ends. They meet each other when the bedstead is set up for use with a straight or square bearing at the point a and just below this they are furnished with cogs e e working together as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. These cogs together with the square bearing a prevent the hinge pieces from slipping and rolling on each other and keep the rails and the intermediate legs M firmly in their proper positions by their mutual sustaining and bracing action. If desirable (although itis not necessary) the head and foot legs may be further braced by the common device of hinged or hook braces attached to the side rails.

rlhis bedstead when folded is exceedingly compact, it is very light for its strength, and will be found convenient for common use and for spare beds in hotels, steam boats and private dwellings and for camp purposes, will not only answer for use as a bedstead but will make an excellent portable litter for the sick and wounded.

lVhat I claim as my improvement in portable folding bedsteads, is,

Connecting and bracing the folding portions and intermediate legs by the double cog hinges attached to the side rails and having their bearings in the intermediate posts substantially as herein set forth.

BENJ. HINKLEY. Vitnesses J. L. BARNEY, H. SMALLEY. 

